2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment with its bold and distinctive design, a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, making it easily recognizable. A unique Z-shaped dent in the doors, designed by Davis Lee, added to its character, breaking conventional design rules. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trims, ranging from the Essential to the Ultimate, with the latter offering a more upscale interior. The Ultimate trim, in particular, boasted a modern and upscale look with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements, which helped to mask some of the cheaper plastic panels.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks, with a design that was both practical and appealing. Built in North America, the Civic Hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear. The Sport Touring trim added sophistication with digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing the car's modern appeal. However, the Civic Hatchback's design was not without its quirks, such as the "stubby butt syndrome" when viewed from certain angles. Inside, the Civic Hatchback offered a comfortable and well-equipped cabin, with the Sport Touring trim providing a more premium experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup provided adequate power for city driving but felt underwhelming on highways. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though real-world consumption was slightly higher than expected. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower, offered a sportier driving experience, while the high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating 276 horsepower, delivered exhilarating performance and precise handling.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a 2.0-litre engine with 158 horsepower in the LX and Sport trims, while the Sport and Sport Touring trims offered a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 180 horsepower. The Civic Hatchback's CVT worked well with the turbo engine, providing smooth and efficient performance. The manual transmission option in the Sport Touring trim offered a more engaging driving experience. The Civic Hatchback's suspension provided a comfortable ride, though it was not as sporty as some enthusiasts might prefer. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with real-world figures closely matching official estimates.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with ample rear-seat legroom. The driver's seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, ensuring comfort for the driver. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. The Civic Hatchback provided comfortable seating, with the Sport Touring trim offering an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front and rear seats. However, the lack of rear air conditioning vents was a minor inconvenience. The interior materials varied across trims, with the Sport Touring featuring leather upholstery and automatic climate control.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on most trims. The Ultimate trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster, though it lacked wireless smartphone integration. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system, enhancing the in-car entertainment experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on LX and Sport trims and a 9-inch display on the Sport Touring trim. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic Hatchback's infotainment system addressed previous criticisms with physical knobs for sound controls and a shelf for hand support. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display on the Sport Touring trim.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured a new platform with structural enhancements for improved crash protection. Most trims included Hyundai's SmartSense suite, offering advanced driving assistance systems like forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, an improved safety suite with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. New features included Traffic Jam Assist and Low-Speed Braking Control on certain trims. The Civic Hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its excellent safety performance.